A progressive dinner party has nothing to do with politics. Instead, it’s an adventurous approach to a meal with friends, family members or others. Each couple is responsible for one of the courses.
To start, the group gathers at one couple’s home for hors d’oeuvres. Then everyone heads to the next couple’s home — you might want to carpool with designated drivers — for soup and salads. Next, it’s off to the residence of whoever’s preparing the main course. And the party ends at the dessert-makers’ abode.
Progressive dinners offer several benefits. First, the costs, the planning and the work are divided among several people instead of being thrust upon one couple. No one has to worry about elaborate decorations, either.
On top of that, it’s fun to travel around in a group: chatting, laughing and eating in different places. It’s like an adult version of trick-or-treating. The time flies by, and you might visit homes you’ve never been to before.
Whom to Invite
If you’re wondering how to plan a progressive dinner, a good way to start is to go through your phone contacts and invite people who live relatively close to one another. They should all enjoy cooking (or buying takeout) and entertaining. They should also enjoy one another’s company; no feuding relatives or hostile coworkers!
You’ll need as many couples or singles as courses. You might only want the four courses mentioned above. If you have additional invitees, however, you could add after-dinner drinks, or you could divide the soup and salads course into two.
Where and When It’s Happening
Of course, the homes in a progressive dinner party should be relatively close to each other. You might choose houses that are in walking distance; you could even hold this party in an apartment complex or condo community.
Progressive dinners are often the most effective if they take place on a weekend or holiday. That way, the attendees have the whole afternoon to prepare their offerings.
Altogether, a progressive dinner party with four courses could take approximately four hours. Obviously, that length will vary depending on travel times, how long it takes to serve and eat various foods, and so on.
Who Makes What Dinner Course
More than the typical dinner party, a progressive dinner requires careful planning. You might want to convene the entire group ahead of time, even if it’s via an online chat. That way, you can all figure out who wants to make what, and you can agree on a rough budget for each course.
You ought to consider locations when you’re assigning courses. That is, it makes sense to go from one home to the nearest home rather than crisscrossing town all night long.
In terms of the food, come up with progressive dinner ideas that people can prepare ahead of time. You’ll also have to consider drink pairings at each residence, and you’ll want to avoid repeated items. For example, if the main course is chicken, you probably won’t want chicken wings as appetizers.
Once you’ve plotted your route and planned your menu, you can create a rough schedule for the event. That timeline will help people figure out when they’ll need babysitters, dog sitters and so forth.
Finishing Touches
Small, meaningful touches always enhance a party. Personalized, designed-from-scratch party items can really elevate a progressive dinner.
Let’s start with the invitations. When your guests receive your invitation, they’ll likely be impressed by the colors, the thoughtfulness and the class.
Do you want to bring a token of appreciation to each home you visit? Maybe include a personalized favor box designed by you.
When it’s your turn to serve a course, why not do it on the highest of high-quality paper plates. (Who wants to wash dishes after a dinner party, anyway?) These stylish paper plates, which come in different sizes, can express any message you’d like to convey and share any image you’d like to share. If you’ve ever dreamed of serving food on plates that feature your smiling face, here’s your opportunity!
Likewise, personalized napkins boast vivid colors and sharp, clear images. And, once again, you can choose the words or pictures that your napkins will display.
In the final analysis, flexibility is the key to a successful progressive dinner party. Don’t worry too much about sticking to an exact itinerary. After all, someone might get slightly lost on the way to one home, or a side dish could take longer than expected to heat up.
These events are ideal for getting to know acquaintances and colleagues better. They’re perfect for introducing a new person to your neighborhood. And they’re just right for enjoying succulent treats, for basking in the company of cherished friends and for creating memories that will last a long time — or, at least, until your next progressive dinner!
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